Hi Guys

The truck's an '03 1500 4.7L.

I gotta change the fan clutch. I know that Mopar is the way to go, but at $345+ I might want to save some money on this one. (That is, unless I end up with a piece of junk...)

What's a reliable alternative? Duralast? Hayden? LuK? I really have no clue...

Any recommendations?

 

I put a heavy duty Hayden on my 04

 

Go with Hayden for aftermarket.
Don't know where you got the $345+ oem. I paid for a Heavy duty oem $114.00
for my 2004 ram 1500 4.7 engine.
I need it because if I keep the non HD my truck starts to over heat a bit while plowing.
So the Heavy duty does the job, its just loud when you first start the engine up and drive sounds loud.
It will quiet down like the regular one when it heats up and is quiet.
I bought a Hayden for my Daughters 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee with 4.7 and has been fine. O'rielly parts has them about $70.00
Just be prepared to use some force to get off the one that is on there know. And use some anti seize grease on the new one. You will need a special tool to hold the pulley and a wrench to get the large knuckle off the water pump shaft. Just be careful as the power steering pump pulley is plastic and if hit with tools can break it.

good luck

 

Thanks, man!

 

Looks like I'll be going with Hayden! Appreciate the ideas and preferences. Yeah, I think removing the old on is gonna be a bear! Gotta get it off though. While so many people rip 'em out when they no longer engage, the problem I have is that it engages immediately - right when I start the engine - in any weather (even sub-zero).

Ugh...

 

Get rid of that clunky out of date fan clutch. Put an electric fan in. I did that with my 4.7. I will never go back.

 

$345 will buy a nice e-fan. Rock Auto will have a fan with clutch for ~$60.

 

Amen rtmtrrdr. That is what I did. Got a Taurus 3.8 fan.